Russian ingenuity: Bathtub sidecar showcases wartime resourcefulness
The Russians continue to be surprised by their use of scrap metal in warfare. We've seen a variety of unconventional armor modifications, such as storm cyclists, but a motorcycle with a bathtub welded to its side is something new. Let's explore the possible reasons behind this creation.
The Russians lack sufficient armored equipment for conducting assaults. Most of it is allocated to regular brigades, leaving little for the so-called operational units engaged in "meat assaults."
A few months ago, the Russians employed assault motorcyclists, but riding a motorcycle while simultaneously shooting at the enemy proved impractical. This necessitates motorcycles with sidecars, where a machine gunner can sit, for example.
Below, you can see how the Russians attempted to build such a two-person motorcycle by welding a bathtub, likely sourced from nearby buildings, onto the frame. The contraption is heavily soot-stained, indicating an FPV drone probably hit it.
Another possible reason for this adaptation is to increase load capacity. The bathtub can hold canned ammunition or items like mortar shells or RPG-7 grenade launcher rounds. The Russians have been using motorcycles for months, including for front-line logistics.
Advantages and disadvantages of motorcycles in war
Motorcycles, buggies, and electric bikes are practically the only means of transportation over Ukrainian backroads, which become literal swamps in the spring and autumn.
Their main advantage is speed, which makes it difficult for artillery to target the rider; however, they offer no protection. Striking an anti-personnel mine can result in tragedy, and FPV drones are too fast to outrun. It's also worth noting that gasoline-powered motorcycles are easily visible through thermal imaging and can be heard from miles away.
